Trial by Declaration - What Bail Amount

My question involves traffic court in the State of California.

I got a ticket for going through a stop sign and I am going to submit a Trial by Declaration. I know you have to submit the bail amount with your TBD and if your ticket gets dismissed, they will refund you the amount. If I don't win the TBD, I'd like to go to traffic school since I don't want my insurance to go up. Can I submit the Traffic School amount (which is $50 more) or should I just submit the bail amount with my TBD.

If I lose the TBD, I plan to do a Trial de Novo at which time if I lose that too when I see the judge, I will request Traffic School and I know it is at the discretion of the judge whether he will allow me to go to traffic school or not. By submitting the Traffic School amount on my TBD, does that increase the likelihood that the judge will allow me to go to traffic school if I am still found guilty and tell him I already submitted the Traffic School amount? (many years ago, I went to see the judge and he did NOT allow me to go to traffic school, never had a ticket in my life, he was just a pompous jerk and said, "we reward traffic school to those who plead guilty in the early stages").

Please let me know as I plan to mail in my TBD by the end of this week. Thanks!

Only submit the bail amount with your TBD. If you lose, then you request the TDN, and depending on whether the officer shows or not, you can plead no contest and request traffic school.

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Quoting supralover23

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Only submit the bail amount with your TBD. If you lose, then you request the TDN, and depending on whether the officer shows or not, you can plead no contest and request traffic school.

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Well, is there any negative consequence to submitting the traffic school amount with my TBD?

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Quoting scuzzynutty

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Well, is there any negative consequence to submitting the traffic school amount with my TBD?

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Bump. Anyone know for sure please? Thanks.

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Quoting scuzzynutty

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Bump. Anyone know for sure please? Thanks.

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Stop that^. Its not the end of the week yet and even if it was, there is no obligation to answer your question within a certain period.

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Quoting scuzzynutty

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Well, is there any negative consequence to submitting the traffic school amount with my TBD?

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The negative consequences is that you're paying the wrong amount which means your payment can get rejected, and if you are close to your deadline for filing a TBD you may lose the opportunity to submit your declaration.

Question is, and aside from complicating an already convoluted process that is riddled with opportunities for error, what's the benefit for pre paying for the traffic school option when the fact is, there is no guarantee that the judge will allow you to go to traffic school once you are past the arraignment! Just because "its paid for" is not going to obligate the judge to allow it! There is no such thing as "reserving the option of traffic school by prepaying it" simply because traffic school at that point (after trial or after a TBD) is at the judge's discretion!

If you're not sure you have a viable defense, then take traffic school at the arraignment. Don't waste the court's time with silly attempts to play "CHP roulette"!

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Quoting That Guy

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Stop that^. Its not the end of the week yet and even if it was, there is no obligation to answer your question within a certain period.



The negative consequences is that you're paying the wrong amount which means your payment can get rejected, and if you are close to your deadline for filing a TBD you may lose the opportunity to submit your declaration.

Question is, and aside from complicating an already convoluted process that is riddled with opportunities for error, what's the benefit for pre paying for the traffic school option when the fact is, there is no guarantee that the judge will allow you to go to traffic school once you are past the arraignment! Just because "its paid for" is not going to obligate the judge to allow it! There is no such thing as "reserving the option of traffic school by prepaying it" simply because traffic school at that point (after trial or after a TBD) is at the judge's discretion!

If you're not sure you have a viable defense, then take traffic school at the arraignment. Don't waste the court's time with silly attempts to play "CHP roulette"!

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I'm not sure you read my question accurately. I never implied I was trying to "reserve the option of traffic school by prepaying it" or "obligate the judge to allow it" (You seem to be hung up on this word "obligate" - I know there is no obligation to answer my question within a certain period. Just a little anxious here and trying to make sure I proceed correctly, so excuse me for the slight lack of patience). I asked a simple question as to whether it increases the likelihood of the judge allowing me to go to traffic school - perhaps too subjective of a question, but maybe someone out there has feedback or guidance from a similar experience.

I could certainly be wrong, but I highly doubt the courts will deny someone paying TOO much, it's normally the other way around (i.e., if you pay too little). After all, who wouldn't accept more money.

If I didn't think I had a viable defense, why would I spend all the time to do this, why would anyone for that matter. Anyone submitting a TBD or going to court will never know the outcome, so your comment insinuates that anyone trying to fight a ticket is a silly attempt at "CHP Roulette" - by the way, I wasn't pulled over by CHP, it was the local police (you sure jump to a lot of conclusions). Anyway, even if I didn't think I had a viable defense (which in this case I believe I do), so long as I had the time I would have absolutely no problem "wasting the court's time," and "playing local police roulette" (actually shouldn't it be more like, "Courthouse Roulette" or "Judge's Roulette"?) as there would be the chance that my ticket was dismissed or reduced -I pay more than enough taxes, and at least I could feel my tax money being put to use.

I appreciate you responding and your input, but your tone is quite abrasive and condescending which is uncalled for...not sure why you have so many '!' marks either, are you mad or something? Maybe woke up on the wrong side of the bed today? Chill dude. In the end, you know as well as I do, that all this is a game...and if you make the right or better moves, you end up winning...

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Quoting scuzzynutty

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I'm not sure you read my question accurately. I never implied I was trying to "reserve the option of traffic school by prepaying it" or "obligate the judge to allow it" (You seem to be hung up on this word "obligate" - I know there is no obligation to answer my question within a certain period. Just a little anxious here and trying to make sure I proceed correctly, so excuse me for the slight lack of patience). I asked a simple question as to whether it increases the likelihood of the judge allowing me to go to traffic school - perhaps too subjective of a question, but maybe someone out there has feedback or guidance from a similar experience.

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I'm sure you didn't understand my answer properly. Anxious or not, your attempt to rush an answer by "bumping" is childish and unnecessary! And even though you got your answer, that wasn't enough to show what a big galoot you are, you had to whine about every bit of it!!! As for my being hung up on the word "obligate", I only used it in passing, you are the one making an issue of it. But even then if you really cannot see the similarity of my use of "obligate" and your inference as to the "increased likelihood that the judge will allow you to go to traffic school if you are still found guilty and tell him you already submitted the Traffic School amount?[/I]", then you are a better hypocrite than you are a critic!

Regardless, you got your answer... Sorry it didn't meet your expectations. Whether you choose to follow it or act on your own assumptions, I wouldn't be the one facing the consequences, you are! And yes, I do make a lot of assumptions... And most of the time, my assumptions are fairly accurate. In this case, the reason you're asking about traffic school, is not because its a game, its not because you have better moves and its not because you have a valid defense. If any of that was true or if you had any confidence in your "plan", you wouldn't be here asking, would you? And you certainly wouldn't be asking about how to keep the safety net of traffic school underneath you the entire time. If I am wrong about that, then please, feel free to enlighten us with your story, what were you cited for and what brilliant plan have you drawn up as you prepare to defend yourself. Without all those details, I will further assume... or wait... should I predict this time??? No, I'm going to assume that you will somehow screw up and lose your case! Win or lose though, I really don't care either way!

As for you paying more than enough taxes... Is that sort of similar to you paying more than your bail amount? Except I'm not sure what you'd be asking for from the IRS or the FTB... And since it would be a safe bet that you've gotten nothing from either, why would you think of trying the same with the court. But seriously, if your taxes were sufficient to cover the cost of running the court system, the legislature would not have to resort to adding new penalties and assessments, every year; the courts would not have had to lay off thousands of workers or close several court houses in each county or consolidate the services they provide... So yes, you can call the last judge you asked for traffic school from a pompous jerk, you can misunderstand and misconstrue my reply, you can act all sensitive and butt hurt, you can pretend you have a legitimate reason to proceed with both a TBD and a TDN only to likely end up wishing you can get traffic school when in reality, you knew you had very little if anything and you could have and should have opted for that from the get go!

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Quoting scuzzynutty

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I could certainly be wrong, but I highly doubt the courts will deny someone paying TOO much, it's normally the other way around (i.e., if you pay too little). After all, who wouldn't accept more money.

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And you're free to double up on the fine if you choose. And yes, make it sound like you're being charitable, all while it all an underhanded attempt to benefit from it all; all along, you're expecting something in return!

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Quoting scuzzynutty

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If I didn't think I had a viable defense, why would I spend all the time to do this

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By "this" you mean posting this diatribe of yours complaining about the answer you received just because it didn't meet your expectations? Or by "this", do you mean pretending like you know half of what you're doing and talking about when in reality you've already stated that this would be you second citation ever and your last one was a while back. I mean here you are asking about the most basic step in the entire process, "posting bail", apparently confused by what you should do, or apprehensive about an attempt to manipulate the system. Even you yourself, in your original post, predicted the following:

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Quoting scuzzynutty

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If I lose the TBD, I plan to do a Trial de Novo at which time if I lose that too...

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... You started this thread based on that premise and those possibilities... And you're critiquing me and suggesting that "I" am the one insinuating that everyone asking about traffic school will lose?

Get over yourself... Seriously!!!

That "Egotistic" Guy,
I read the first 2 lines of your response, and I am sorry I'm not as forum savvy as you to know that bumping is childish - you can call me "Timmy" if that will make you feel more superior that you already believe yourself to be.

I didn't read any further because from glancing, your response is riddled with "!" - you sure are one unhappy individual hiding behind your computer screen acting all tough and macho. I am very familiar with your power-trip type and don't wish to entertain big-headed, condescending, supercilious creatures that can't control their emotions and just exude exponential amounts of negative energy.

You must be proud of your 6640+ posts in this forum. I gather you get into a lot of conflict with your arrogant responses as also proven by your own red text line at the bottom of your posts.

I will admit however, that your first post (I didn't waste my idle time with the nonsense in your last response) is quite entertaining: "CHP roulette" was especially amusing (even though I was pulled over by the local police but since you know everything, we'll just let you believe it was the CHP on a residential street), and the "Stop that^" was quite humorous as well - do you want me to bend over so you can slap my bare bottom? Best line of all is the last line in your post above:

"Get over yourself... Seriously!!!"

and your signature line reads:
I am right 97% of the time... Who cares about the other 4%!

You are one angry comedian!!! - what an oxyMORON... hahahahahahGRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrr (angry comedian)

Cheers!
Yours truly,
Timmy

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Quoting scuzzynutty

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you can call me "Timmy"

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http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile...816_2243_n.jpg

There is a difference of course, ^this^ Timmy has a physical handicap. Yours is purely mental!

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Quoting That Guy

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There is a difference of course, ^this^ Timmy has a physical handicap. Yours is purely mental!

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That “Egotistic” Guy,

Whoa man…did you come up with that all by yourself?

Quite lame (actually very asinine – strong emphasis on the first syllable of this adjective) that you have to resort to scorn and contempt of innocent handicapped children in your feeble attempts to try to outwit a “purely mentally handicapped” person such as myself (by the way, appreciate you for enlightening me on my true condition – I just couldn’t think of the right verbiage before, you are awesome Egoguy!)

I certainly hope you don’t walk around in public pointing fingers and snickering at unfortunate innocent children (or even adults) that have grossly disproportionate sized heads in relation to their bodies as your graphic and comment of “physical handicap” no doubt implies to which you have explicitly expressed in a public forum. Your previous blabber & ramblings were entertaining, but this is just uncool.

Probably better that you go back and hide in that hole that you were in after reading my last post and stop grasping at straws… -- but do come up out of the hole once in a while so your head doesn’t get too big and get stuck with your perpetual thoughts that you’re the end-all-and-be-all of society. There are many smarter and more intellectual people than yourself…I know hard for you to believe…but you know the saying, “Truth Hurts…”

As always,
“Purely Mentally Handicapped” Timmy

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Quoting scuzzynutty

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I certainly hope you don’t walk around in public pointing fingers and snickering at unfortunate innocent children (or even adults)

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No I don't... Simply because no matter what their physical or mental ailment, they typically have a way of expressing thanks and appreciation; while most of them deserve a lot of special care and attention, they don't come off as being entitled to what they want, and in spite of their handicap, or the likelihood that they are easily irritated or are generally irritable, they typically are sweet compassionate people who did nothing to get to where they are.

You on the other hand, are just an asshole with a big mouth. You have the option and the ability to be respectable and appreciative and cordial, but you don't know how, so instead you choose to be a spineless slimy piece of crap hiding behind your monitor. You came here for answers and you got more than what you asked for. Just because you didn't like the correct answer, you keep coming back talking smack about someone you don't even know for reason you may not realize.

If you have a legal question, please post it, if not, screw off!

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Quoting That Guy

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No I don't... Simply because no matter what their physical or mental ailment, they typically have a way of expressing thanks and appreciation; while most of them deserve a lot of special care and attention, they don't come off as being entitled to what they want, and in spite of their handicap, or the likelihood that they are easily irritated or are generally irritable, they typically are sweet compassionate people who did nothing to get to where they are.

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That "Ego" Guy (I hope it's ok that I shortened your name a little, sometimes Davids don't like to be called Dave, and Michaels don't like to be called Mike, so let me know if "That Ego Guy" is ok or if I should just stick with "That Egotistic Guy"),

Glad to hear you don't walk around public pointing fingers and snickering at unfortunate handicapped people. Your previous post would strongly imply otherwise, especially you posting in a public forum, such a graphic of a physically-challenged child with a grossly disproportionate-sized head and pointing to the picture with ^^ proclaiming his "physical handicap" - I certainly hope your display here is not an expression of what Psychology terms "front-door appearance" where you act one way in front of a certain type of people, and then when the door is shut, you act a completely opposite way. Much like a door salesman coming to your door, and you acting all nice politely telling him you're not interested in what he's selling, and then when you shut the door, you mumble & grumble expletives under your breath (which you are apparently very good at doing from the content in the rest of your post), expressing the true nature of your annoyance at such a person coming to your door. -- the graphic you posted and then your comment in the quote above would seem to be in parallel with "front-door appearance" but what do I know, as I am purely mentally handicapped.

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You on the other hand, are just an asshole with a big mouth. You have the option and the ability to be respectable and appreciative and cordial

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Hmmm...I just looked in the mirror and my mouth appears to be normal-sized. My nose however, may be a little bigger than normal, but my mouth, definitely normal, perhaps even on the smaller side. Oh, and I certainly believe I've been quite respectable - it's funny how you make such a comment when it is your posts that are the ones riddled with expletives, exclamation marks, and graphics poking fun at physically handicapped children. Apart from all the assumptions you make, you are very contradictory which is why I mentioned in my previous post that you are an "angry-comedian" which is an oxyMORON.

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...are just an asshole with a big mouth....spineless slimy piece of crap

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ooooohhhh.... I'd just like you to know Purely Mentally Handicapped Timmy learned that sticks and stone may break his bones but names will never hurt him. Didn't you learn that as a child? You're very confusing Ego-guy. :confused: First you tell me I'm an a-hole, then you tell me I'm a piece of crap? That is really quite strange...make up your mind, which is it? One comes from the other, I can't possibly be both at the same time. That logically (even to a purely mental handicap like myself) just doesn't add up! Good grief, are you feeling ok?

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If you have a legal question, please post it, if not, screw off!

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Ok, my apologies, I was side-tracked by all your blabber, ramblings, and nonsense.
My legal question is this - If an individual's nerves are hit and he can no longer control his emotions and starts going berserk and cursing and rambling all sorts of contradictory nonsense, would legal counsel classify this individual as:
(a) mentally handicapped (purely or not purely)
(b) on the verge of lunacy
(c) moronic
(d) all the above

Thanks in advance for your time and patience in reading the above (see, I'm very polite and respectful) and for your enlightenment on the above legal question. Thank you again (I'm even extra appreciative (I said "thanks" twice), sorry if I didn't express this properly in my earlier posts).

As Always,
"Purely Mentally Handicapped" Timmy

Note to self: "Don't argue with an idiot, he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience"!

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Quoting That Guy

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Note to self: "Don't argue with an idiot, he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience"!

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That Ego-guy,
How come every post you write has some sort of contradictory statement to it? You say "Note to self:" and then post the note to your self in a public forum - wouldn't that imply that it is a note to 'everyone' rather than a note to yourself? You exude mild symptoms of schizophrenia, are you ok, man?

And, by the way, for the amounts of verbose gibberish and exclamation points you post daily, learn to write properly. Your punctuation marks should go inside the quotations, not outside. (That bugs me more than the nonsense you write because you try to sound all sophisticated and such (except when you're being an angry comedian and proclaiming funny expletives, that's just downright entertaining especially when they don't even make sense) and you don't even know fundamental grammatical placement of punctuation marks). Now, when you write properly with your punctuation marks inside the quotations, you will remember me always. :cool: You probably never thought a purely mentally handicap could be of any assistance and enlightenment to you. No thanks required though...hope you learned a thing or two...or three, from our recent dialog.

Cheers.
-"Purely Mentally Handicapped" Timmy (my name is soooo long, can I just be "Mentally Handicapped Timmy" - I shortened your name from "That Egotistic Guy" to "That Ego Guy")